Birnam Hill, Dunkeld.

King's Seat, Birnam Hill

Birnam Hill, Dunkeld. Section 1A.
Height – 404 metres. Map – OS Landranger 52.
Climbed - 19 September 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 335 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My final Sub 2000 Marilyn before heading home was Birnam Hill with its highest point shown as King’s Seat. There were several routes to choose from but I decided to take what appeared to be the shortest although possibly not the easiest route.

I parked in the car park at Birnam Railway Station just off the A9, walked to the end of the car park, and joined the road that ran under the railway line. This led to a signposted route for Birnam Hill with the initial ascent being quite steep and warm work. Higher up the walking was easier as the path zigzagged. It then entered an area of bracken which had been flattened by walkers and was wet and slippery. There was an alternative route but I missed it.

It was surprisingly busy for a Monday but one group I passed mentioned that it was a holiday, probably a local one. The gradient eased and a short section of the path had been drained and resurfaced before the final climb led to the large summit cairn. Here a female was operating a radio tracker.

I sheltered behind the cairn while I ate my lunch before crossing to the south knoll to see if the views were any clearer as the trees restricted my photography. Afterwards I returned to the station car park by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Creag na Criche, Perthshire.

Creag na Criche

Creag na Criche, Perthshire. Section 1A.
Height – 457 metres. Map – OS Landranger 52.
Climbed - 19 September 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 245 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My second hill of the day was Creag na Criche, above Little Glen Shee. I had hoped to access its starting point from the B8063 in Glen Almond but the road was closed for repairs. I followed the diversionary signs until near Tullybelton House where the signs indicated that the road was closed 5.5 miles ahead. I drove along this single track road, crossed the Shochie Burn via a ford, and parked in the small car park on the south side of the stream. Fortunately the road was only closed from this point to the junction with the B8063.

I re-crossed the burn by a wooden footbridge followed by the section of road I had just driven along before passing through a new deer gate, which had an adjacent stile. A vehicle track headed north then east and I followed it until a junction of tracks where I took the left fork. This track climbed north-west to reach a new deer fence and at this point the track changed direction and headed north-east.

Unfortunately Creag na Criche was on the opposite side of this fence and there was no sign of a crossing point. I therefore had no option but clamber over the fence before climbing through long heather onto the summit area. I crossed a few knolls before reaching the summit cairn where I took a coffee break with views of surrounding heather clad hills and in the distance a large windfarm which was still under construction.

Rather than re-crossing the deer fence I headed along Creag na Criche’s undulating south-west ridge before changing direction and descending steeply towards the car park. Low down, and after crossing some marshy ground, I located another gate in the deer fence which I used to enter the enclosure. I then followed my original route the short distance back to the car.

Photos taken on walk.

Knock of Crieff, Perthshire.

Knock of Crieff

Knock of Crieff, Perthshire. Section 1A.
Height – 279 metres. Map – OS Landranger 52.
Climbed - 19 September 2011. Time taken – 45 minutes.
Distance 3 kilometres. Ascent – 175 metres.
Trip Report Details:

There were three Sub 2000 Marilyns located between Crieff and Dunkeld and my idea was to climb them before heading home. The weather forecast indicated that it would be dry until later in the day.

I parked at the top of Knock Road in Crieff, followed a signposted route along the side of a field, and passed houses which appeared part of the Crieff Hydro complex. It was then I discovered I could have parked beyond the hotel, but it was only a short walk to the summit so made little difference.

The path through mixed woodland, which had a few very old trees, was followed as spots of rain fell. I didn’t carry my pack, containing my waterproofs, as I thought it was a bit over the top for this short climb.

There were a few dog walkers around and on approaching the viewpoint a female runner overtook me. From the top of this knoll the views were slightly restricted due to the height of the surrounding trees. The toposcope wasn’t of great benefit especially as it was cloudy towards the west.

This wasn’t the summit as it was further north-east so I followed the path, which descended slightly until it reached a small fenced off area, where the trees had been cleared. Unusual stiles were crossed at either end although I think there was an alternative route round the north side of the enclosure.

Beyond I entered the forest and soon reached a small cairn below a large fir tree, this marking the highest point on the Knock of Crieff. With no views I returned to my car by the ascent route. Again I was passed by the runner who told me that she was now off for a swim. Well she wouldn’t have been bothered by the rain which was now a bit heavier.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Dubh, Trossachs.

Beinn Dubh

Beinn Dubh, Trossachs. Section 1C.
Height – 511 metres. Map – OS Landranger 56.
Climbed - 18 September 2011. Time taken – 5 hours.
Distance – 14 kilometres. Ascent – 740 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I had considered combining this Sub 2000 Marilyn with an ascent of Beinn Uamha but when I climbed the latter hill back in the summer I found the underfoot conditions difficult so decided on separate excursions.

The single track B829 road north of Aberfoyle was followed until I came to the private road leading to Loch Dhu House and Comer. Just beyond this junction I managed to get my car onto the grass verge at the edge of a passing place. It was a lovely sunny, although chilly, morning as I left the car, returned to the private road, and followed it passed Loch Dhu to the house and cottage of the same name. Here I took the left fork then soon afterwards a right fork, both signposted Comer.  The track climbed through the forest and over the col between Mulan an t-Sagairt and Tom Dubh nan Caorach. Areas of the woodland had been cut down which allowed for some views, including the pylons running through Gleann Dubh.

On reaching the Gleann Dubh forest track there was another sign for Comer, which was at the head of the glen still around four kilometres away. I wasn’t going that far as after walking up the glen for around a kilometre and a half the track passed below the pylons. I read on the Scottish Hills forum that there was a track here which headed part way through the forest towards Beinn Dubh.

The track was easily spotted and rose steeply through an area where the trees had been removed but with lots of debris left lying around. In fact higher up some of the debris had been used to reinforce the track which later levelled out with several gaps for water channels. I headed up a narrower debris covered track which became quite difficult to walk on so I left it and headed directly uphill. Despite the area being cleared of trees and lots of dead branches covering the ground this part of the ascent wasn’t as bad as expected.

I eventually reached and crossed a fence at the point where a small area of the forest remained intact, as it was above the fence line. Around a hundred metres or so beyond, the gradient eased and I then crossed some wet and tussocky ground to reach an old deer fence, which in sections had collapsed. Thereafter an easy ascent took me to the cairn marking the summit of Beinn Dubh.

The views were worthwhile, including Ben Lomond, the Arrochar Alps and Ben Venue. After a coffee break I returned by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

The Lomond Hills.

East Lomond

East Lomond, West Lomond and Bishop Hill. Section 26.
Height – 448metres: 522 metres: 461 metres:
Map – OS Landranger 58 and 59.
Climbed - 17 September 2011. Time taken – 5.5 hours.
Distance – 17.5 kilometres. Ascent – 710 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Falkland in Fife was my destination as it would give me access to the hill road which crosses between East and West Lomond. I don’t recall being in Falkland before but a few years ago I sent a letter to a resident of the village and didn’t receive a reply for several weeks as it went via the Falkland Islands.

From the village I drove to the large car park at Craigmead, where several vehicles were parked. I decided to tackle East Lomond first as the summit of West Lomond was in cloud. I crossed the road and followed the path which initially rose steadily, but soon levelled out and was quite wet in sections as it ran between fields of sheep. I was passed by mountain bikers and hill runners.

Beyond a gate the ground was marshy before it steepened considerably. The path was rather slippery caused by earlier rain and I reached the viewpoint at the same time as the hill runners who had approached from a different direction. They were planning on returning to West Lomond as they had another hour to run. I visited the viewpoint and the summit, which was five metres south of the viewpoint, then took a break sheltering from the wind with views of the villages of Falkland and Auchtermuchty. After my coffee I returned to the car park by the upward route and despite West Lomond being clear of cloud I encountered a short rain shower.

I left the car park by the rear exit which led to an easy angled grassy track before it joined a hardcore surface. Further west the track became rather muddy but I left it and climbed steeply to the summit of West Lomond, marked by a trig point and cairn. The cloud base was now a lot higher and I had views across the Fife and Kinross-shire countryside.

My plan was to return to the car park and drive round to Scotlandwell or Easter Balgedie and climb Bishop Hill. However on the ascent of West Lomond I thought I might as well include it in this walk so I headed south following some trails but once across a fence they seemed to disappear. The going was quite rough and around Glen Vale wet and marshy. I crossed a path, passed through a gate, and followed a wet muddy vehicle track, still heading in a southerly direction.

This led to an opening in the dyke and a track going west which I used but it began to turn away from my destination so I left it and headed directly towards Bishop Hill. Initially this involved some grassy undulations before a fence was reached and crossed. Beyond the ground was wet, boggy and churned up by cattle but eventually I made the final ascent to the summit cairn of Bishop Hill.

Here I found some shelter from the wind for a late lunch but was wary that at any moment the cattle I had spotted near the summit would head my way. Fortunately they didn’t. After lunch I crossed a nearby stone dyke and fence then followed a vehicle track east but it soon disappeared and I encountered more marshy ground. At a junction of fences I headed north and picked up the route I used earlier on my ascent of Bishop Hill and followed it back to Glen Vale.

The decision I now had to make was how to return to the car park. I decided, rather than going over the shoulder of West Lomond, to follow the path east along Glen Vale to Harperleas Reservoir. The path was used by mountain bikers and was muddy in places. At the Reservoir the path went round the south side of the water and thereafter, according to my map, headed off in a south-easterly direction. I therefore continued along the north edge of the Reservoir but the going was very difficult through rushes and round fallen timber. I had to get away from the water’s edge so headed north-west across fields before continuing east to the track beside the ruin above the Reservoir dam. Here I observed the route through the forest also crossed the dam and came out near the ruin, which would have been a lot easier.

It was here that I read the sign about livestock which stated “don’t stare at bulls, they don’t like it and might become aggressive”. Although it may be true it’s the first time I’ve heard that and I thought it rather funny.

I followed the track east where according to another sign thousands of trees had been planted. The track passed above Little Ballo Farm before joining the public road and a short walk to the car park.

Photos taken on walk.

Normans Law, Fife.

Norman's Law

Norman’s Law, Fife. Section 26.
Height – 285 metres. Map – OS Landranger 59.
Climbed - 10 September 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 6.5 kilometres. Ascent – 320 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My third Sub 2000 Marilyn, before heading home, was Norman’s Law. There appeared to be several approach routes but I decided to start from near the village of Luthrie as it was close to the A92, the road north. However on entering Luthrie a sign indicated there was no suitable parking beyond Lower Luthrie Farm, so I left my car in the village near the school.

I could hear the constant bellowing of cattle and on passing the farm I saw some agitated cows in an adjoining field and their calves in a nearby steading, obviously being weaned. I continued along the farm road to a crossroads junction and took a right turn as indicated by a sign. This route took me below Emily Hill and onto Carphin Farm, which appeared vacant. Here another sign directed me through a gate and along another vehicle track.

A junction of tracks was soon reached but without any signage I opted to take the left fork and crossed a tied down gate. I followed a muddy track to the col below Black Craig where I got my first view of Norman’s Law. There were various paths, some were animal trails, heading towards this hill and I opted for one that led to a forested area, not knowing that further north there was a gap and path through the trees. I crossed a fence, worked my way through the trees, and crossed a second fence before dropping from a stone dyke onto a vehicle track.

I followed this track north and spotted the route I should have used to avoid the trees. The vehicle track headed into a field but I followed a path that climbed steadily beside its fence then to the summit viewpoint, trig point and large cairn. Highland Cattle were feeding nearby. I took a break here with views of the hills I had climbed earlier that day, the River Tay, its bridges and Dundee.

The descent was by the south ridge to the gap in the trees that I had missed earlier. This took me to the col beside Black Craig and I followed the ascent route back to the village of Luthrie.

Photos taken on walk.

Mount Hill, Fife.

Mount Hill

Mount Hill, Fife. Section 26.
Height – 221 metres. Map – OS Landranger 59.
Climbed - 10 August 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 140 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The start of this walk was the unclassified road to the east of Mount Hill, accessed from the A913 Newburgh to Cupar Road. Parking was at a premium here but I managed to get my vehicle onto the verge. A ‘Right of Way’ sign indicated the route to the hill, which initially ran between two fields before heading along the top of the westerly field, passing through a couple of gates en-route.

There were several signs, I counted at least five, but with the summit topped by a large monument the direction of travel was obvious. The route followed the edge of the forest with game birds in the adjoining field. It then entered the woodland and the track ran below the east side of the monument before swinging round to the north. I left the track here and followed a path through long, wet grass to the Hopetoun Monument, which marks the summit. There was also a trig point a few metres to the south but it was lower.

The trees obstructed any decent views so after a few minutes at the top I commenced the descent following the upward route, encountering a light shower as I headed for my car.

A Google search revealed that the Hopetoun Monument was a single giant Roman Doric column, with internal stair and balcony above, erected in 1826, by the inhabitants of Fife in memory of John 4th, Earl of Hopetoun. Pity the door was locked as at least there would have been views from the balcony.

Photos taken on walk.